Method for producing electrolytic water

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method for producing electrolytic alkaline water and electrolytic acid water of enhanced effectiveness. According to the method of the invention, vitamin C is added to the cathodic electrolytic water produced by primary electrolysis, in a weight percentage of 0.005%˜0.05%, and the primary cathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added is electrolyzed a second time. Thereby, a secondary cathodic electrolytic water is obtained in which the dissolved oxygen concentration and the oxidation reduction potential are remarkably lowered. Vitamin C is added to the anodic electrolytic water produced by the primary electrolysis in a weight percentage of more than 0.005%, and the primary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added is secondarily electrolyzed. A secondary anodic electrolytic water is thereby obtained which contains a high dissolved oxygen concentration and a low oxidation reduction potential.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for further enhancing theeffect of the electrolytic alkaline water and electrolytic acid waterproduced by electrolyzing water.

2. Description of the Related Art

It has widely been known that electrolyzing water produces anelectrolytic alkaline water (cathodic electrolytic water) and anelectrolytic acid water (anodic electrolytic water). The electrolyticwater producer for producing an electrolytic water has an electrolyzerdivided therein by a separating membrane into two areas, in one of whichan anode is disposed and in the other of which a cathode is disposed.Applying a current across both of the electrodes produces theelectrolytic alkaline water from the cathode area and the electrolyticacid water from the anode area.

The electrolytic alkaline water thus produced has effectiveness fordepressing an abnormal intestinal fermentation and the like and it hasbeen used for drinking. The electrolytic acid water, on the other hand,is recognized to have a bactericidal action, an astringent action andthe like and it has been used for cleaning and medical treatment. Thus,both of the waters have widely been used for their contribution tohealth.

As the evaluation scale for the electrolytic water, the pH valuerepresenting a hydrogen ion concentration and the residual chlorineconcentration have been used in general. However, as use of theelectrolytic water producer has become widespread, although there arenot any significant differences in the pH value and the residualchlorine concentration of the electrolytic water, two cases wherein theelectrolytic water displays a very high effectiveness on one side and onthe other side the water scarcely shows effectiveness have becomeapparent.

In case of the electrolytic alkaline water, when the oxidation reductionpotential and dissolved oxygen concentration are comparably low, thewater shows a better effect for improving health in most cases. When theoxidation reduction potential and the dissolved oxygen concentration arecomparably high, the water shows only a slight effect for improvinghealth in most cases. To be more specific, it has become apparent thatwhen the oxidation reduction potential is as low as -50υ-250 mv and thedissolved oxygen concentration is as low as 4.8˜6.8 mg/l, the waterdisplays a high effectiveness for improving health. On the other hand,when the oxidation reduction potential is as high as +100-+250 mv andthe dissolved oxygen concentration is as high as 7˜8.2 mg/l, the watershows a poor effectiveness for improving health.

In case of the electrolytic acidic water, when the oxidation reductionpotential and the dissolved oxygen concentration are relatively high,the water shows a high astringent and bactericidal action in most cases.When the oxidation reduction potential and dissolved oxygenconcentration are relatively low, the water shows a low astringent andbactericidal action in most cases. Specifically, when the pH is lessthan 4, the oxidation reduction potential is more than +800 mv, and thedissolved oxygen concentration is more than 10 mg/l, the water exhibitsa clear astringent effect on the skin, which makes the skin smooth evenafter the water dries, and the effect lasts long. On the other hand,when the pH is less than 3.5, the oxidation reduction potential is morethan +900 mv, and the dissolved oxygen concentration is more than 12mg/l, the water displays so strong a bactericidal activity as to killmost bacteria in a short time and yet it does not damage skin or mucosa,thus serving as an effective and useful antibacterial agent.

The quality of raw water such as service water changes depending on theseason, water temperature, region, and the like and its qualitysignificantly influences the oxidation reduction potential and dissolvedoxygen concentration of an electrolytic water produced by anelectrolytic water producer. Therefore, the electrolytic alkaline waterand electrolytic acid water produced by a conventional electrolyticwater producer have varying oxidation reduction potential and dissolvedoxygen concentration, so that the desired effect can not be assured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problems,and an object of the present invention is to provide a method forproducing an electrolytic water that can display an improved effect asan electrolytic alkaline water and/or electrolytic acid water.

In order to accomplish the foregoing object, in the method for producingan electrolytic water according to the present invention, a water iselectrolyzed to form an anodic electrolytic water and a cathodicelectrolytic water, vitamin C is added in the cathodic electrolyticwater in a weight percentage of 0.005 0.05% and the water with thevitamin C added is again electrolyzed.

In another embodiment a water is electrolyzed to form an anodicelectrolytic water and a cathodic electrolytic water, vitamin C is addedin the anodic electrolytic water in a weight percentage of more than0.005% and the water with the vitamin C added is again electrolyzed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

Electrolyzing raw water in an electrolytic water producer will produce acathodic electrolytic water (hereafter, referred to as "primary cathodicelectrolytic water") from the cathode area and an anodic electrolyticwater (hereafter, referred to as "primary anodic electrolytic water")from the anode area. The method for producing the primary cathodicelectrolytic water and primary anodic electrolytic water and theelectrolytic water producer are well known, and the description thereofwill be omitted.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid 100%) is added to the primary cathodicelectrolytic water produced by the electrolysis in a weight percentageof 0.005-0.05% of the primary cathodic electrolytic water, which isagain electrolyzed in a conventional type electrolytic water producer.

Here, the components of the waters employed or produced in the course ofthe test will be shown in the following table; in which:

(A-1) is service water used as the raw water,

(A-2) is a primary cathodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzingthe service water,

(A-3) is a secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water without anythingadded,

(A-4) is the primary cathodic electrolytic water with 0.005% wt vitaminC added,

(A-5) is a secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water with the 0.005% wtvitamin C,

(A-6) is the primary cathodic electrolytic water with 0.001% wt vitaminC added,

(A-7) is a secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin Cadded in the amount of 0.001% wt,

(A-8) is the primary cathodic electrolytic water with vitamin C added inthe amount of 0.025% wt,

(A-9) is a secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin Cadded in the amount of 0.025% wt;

(A-10) is the primary cathodic electrolytic water with vitamin C addedin the amount of 0.05% wt, and

(A-11) is a secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin Cadded in the amount of 0.05% wt.

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                                       dissolved   oxidation                                                                             dissolved                                                 oxygen      reduction                                                                             chlorine                                          pH      concentration                                                                             potential                                                                             concentration                              ______________________________________                                        (A-1)  8.34    8.5 mg/l    602 mv  0.8 mg/l                                   (A-2)  10.2    9.3 mg/l    -162 mv 0 mg/l                                     (A-3)  11.6    6.5 mg/l    -848 mv 0 mg/l                                     (A-4)  9.63    9.4 mg/l    -49 mv  0 mg/l                                     (A-5)  10.6    3.9 mg/l    -842 mv 0 mg/l                                     (A-6)  9.54    8.5 mg/l    -54 mv  0 mg/l                                     (A-7)  11.0    1.9 mg/l    -842 mv 0 mg/l                                     (A-8)  5.67    9.3 mg/l    11 mv   0 mg/l                                     (A-9)  9.70    2.9 mg/l    -802 mv 0 mg/l                                     (A-10) 4.53    9.1 mg/l    103 mv  0 mg/l                                     (A-11) 7.74    5.1 mg/l    -681 mv 0 mg/l                                     ______________________________________                                    

The foregoing test results show that in the secondary cathodicelectrolytic water produced by electrolyzing the primary cathodicelectrolytic water with the vitamin C added, the dissolved oxygenconcentration becomes 1.9 5.1 mg/l. This value is remarkably lower thanthe dissolved oxygen concentration (9.3 mg/l) of the primary cathodicelectrolytic water. The water of a low dissolved oxygen concentration ispreferable for anaerobic bacteria in the digestive system, and suitablefor drinking. Still, in the secondary cathodic electrolytic waterproduced by electrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water withthe vitamin C added, the oxidation reduction potential becomes -681˜-842mv. This value is remarkably lower than the oxidation reductionpotential (-162 mv) of the primary cathodic electrolytic water.

Thus, the secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic water with a trace ofvitamin C added has a remarkably low level of dissolved oxygenconcentration and oxidation reduction potential compared with theprimary cathodic electrolytic water, and is suitable for drinking andimproving health. Furthermore, since the secondary cathodic electrolyticwater produced by electrolyzing the primary cathodic electrolytic waterwith the vitamin C added does not contain dissolved chlorine(concentration 0 mg/l), it is suitable for drinking.

The additive vitamin C in amounts ranging from 0.005% to 0.05% showseffectiveness. If the additive quantity of the vitamin C is less than0.005%, there is a possibility that the amount of chlorine in theelectrolytic water cannot be suppressed completely. Furthermore,depending on the quantity of chlorine dissolved in the raw water, thevitamin C will be consumed in neutralizing the chlorine, therebycreating a possibility that the vitamin C cannot lower the dissolvedoxygen concentration.

On the other hand, if the additive quantity of the vitamin C exceeds0.05%, it will induce the secondary cathodic electrolytic water tobecome acidic and, moreover, it will increase the dissolved oxygenconcentration, whereby the advantage of addition, when compared to acase without the vitamin C added and the merit of the vitamin C arelost.

The most appropriate weight percentage for the vitamin C to be added isbetween 0.01% and 0.02%. In this range, the dissolved oxygenconcentration approximates to about 2.0 mg/l (1.9 mg/l in case of 0.01%vitamin C added). Since the dissolved oxygen concentration in theprimary cathodic electrolytic water is 9.3 mg/l, the dissolved oxygenconcentration is reduced to 1/4 of that of the primary cathodicelectrolytic water, which is very suitable for drinking. In the mostappropriate range of 0.01%˜0.02% for the vitamin C to be added, theoxidation reduction potential is -842 mv, which is sufficiently lowerthan the oxidation reduction potential of the primary cathodicelectrolytic water, -162 mv. While the oxidation reduction potential ofa water to show a high benefit for drinking has generally beenconsidered to be less than -300 mv, the oxidation reduction potentialfor the most appropriate range for the vitamin C to be added is lessthan -800 mv, which can provide a yet higher benefit from drinking.

The secondary cathodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzing theprimary cathodic electrolytic water, even without anything added, e.g.the vitamin C, is highly beneficial for drinking. However, thedifference in the dissolved oxygen concentration becomes significantwhen the secondary cathodic electrolytic water without anything addedand the secondary cathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C (0.01%)added are compared; namely, the dissolved oxygen concentration of theformer is 6.5 mg/l and that of the latter is 1.9 mg/l.

Furthermore, the pH value of the secondary cathodic electrolytic waterwith the vitamin C (0.005˜0.05%) added ranges from 10.6 to 7.74. On theother hand, the pH value of the secondary cathodic electrolytic waterwithout anything added is 11.6. For a drinking water a pH not exceeding10.5 is considered ideal, and from this point of view, the secondarycathodic electrolytic water with a trace of vitamin C added will show ahigher benefit for drinking than the secondary cathodic electrolyticwater without anything added.

In another series of tests vitamin C (ascorbic acid 100%) was added tothe primary anodic electrolytic water produced by the electrolysis in aweight percentage of more than 0.005% based on the primary anodicelectrolytic water, which was again electrolyzed in a conventional typeelectrolytic water producer.

In this series of tests the waters employed or produced are shown in thefollowing table, wherein:

(B-1) is service water used as the raw water,

(B-2) is a primary anodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzingthe service water,

(B-3) is a secondary anodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzingthe primary anodic electrolytic water without anything added,

(B-4) is the primary anodic electrolytic water with vitamin C added inthe amount of 0.005% wt,

(B-5) is a secondary anodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzingthe primary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added in theamount of 0.005% wt,

(B-6) is the primary anodic electrolytic water with vitamin C added inthe amount of 0.01% wt,

(B-7) is a secondary anodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzingthe primary anodic electrolytic water with the 0.01 wt % vitamin Cadded,

(B-8) is the primary anodic electrolytic water with vitamin C added inthe amount of 0.025 wt %,

(B-9) is a secondary anodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzingthe primary anodic electrolytic water with 0.025% wt vitamin C added,

(B-10) is the primary anodic electrolytic water with 0.05 wt. % vitaminC added, and

(B-11) is a secondary anodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary anodic electrolytic water with 0.05 wt %vitamin C added.

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                                       dissolved   oxidation                                                                             dissolved                                                 oxygen      reduction                                                                             chlorine                                          pH      concentration                                                                             potential                                                                             concentration                              ______________________________________                                        (B-1)  6.56    8.1 mg/l    519 mv  0.8 mg/l                                   (B-2)  2.45    15.3 mg/l   454 mv  5 mg/l                                     (B-3)  1.87    19.4 mg/l   907 mv  6 mg/l                                     (B-4)  2.32    14.9 mg/l   322 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-5)  1.74    25.4 mg/l   330 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-6)  2.31    14.8 mg/l   297 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-7)  1.71    21.0 mg/l   327 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-8)  2.23    14.8 mg/l   292 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-9)  1.70    22.4 mg/l   296 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-10) 2.11    14.1 mg/l   294 mv  0 mg/l                                     (B-11) 1.61    23.4 mg/l   293 mv  0 mg/l                                     ______________________________________                                    

The foregoing test results show that, in the secondary anodicelectrolytic water produced by electrolyzing the primary anodicelectrolytic water with the vitamin C (0.005%˜0.05%) added, thedissolved oxygen concentration becomes 21.0˜25.4 mg/l. This value issignificantly higher than the dissolved oxygen concentration (16.3 mg/l)of the primary anodic electrolytic water or the dissolved oxygenconcentration (19.4 mg/l) of the secondary anodic electrolytic waterwithout anything added.

In the secondary anodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzing theprimary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added, thedissolved oxygen concentration is so high as to kill or to suppress theactivity of anaerobic bacteria only, and yet it is not harmful toaerobic bacteria. Therefore, the secondary anodic electrolytic waterproduced by electrolyzing the primary anodic electrolytic water with thevitamin C added can be applied in the field of biotechnology.

Furthermore, in the secondary anodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C(0.005% 0.05%) added, the oxidation reduction potential becomes 293˜330mv. This value is significantly lower than the oxidation reductionpotential (454 mv) of the primary anodic electrolytic water or theoxidation reduction potential (907 mv) of the secondary anodicelectrolytic water produced by electrolyzing the primary anodicelectrolytic water without anything added.

Thus, since the secondary anodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin Cadded has a low oxidation reduction potential, the water isnoncorrosive. Therefore, the secondary anodic electrolytic waterproduced by electrolyzing the primary anodic electrolytic water with thevitamin C added can be used for cleaning metals which easily rust.Although, in cleaning metals using the conventional strong electrolyticacidic water (primary anodic electrolytic water), high carbon steel issubject to rust, which is disadvantageous, the secondary anodicelectrolytic water produced by electrolyzing the primary anodicelectrolytic water with the vitamin C added is noncorrosive, and thewater is effective as a cleaning antiseptic solution for medicalequipment such as a rotary bur for dental surgery and the like.

The vitamin C shows effectiveness when its amount is more than 0.005%.As the quantity of the vitamin C added decreases to less than 0.005%,the dissolved oxygen concentration decreases and the oxidation reductionpotential increases so as to approximate the dissolved oxygenconcentration and oxidation reduction potential of the primary anodicelectrolytic water. In contrast, as the quantity of vitamin C addedincreases, the dissolved oxygen concentration gradually increases andthe oxidation reduction potential gradually lowers. However, since theaddition of the vitamin C shows a desired effectiveness in slightamounts, the quantitative upper limit for amount of added vitamin C willbe omitted.

While the foregoing embodiment describes secondary electrolytic water asproduced by electrolyzing a primary electrolytic water with the vitaminC added, in like manner, in a higher-order electrolysis, the "primary"may be read as "N-order", and the "secondary" as "(N+1)order".

As described above, according to the present invention, in the secondarycathodic electrolytic water produced by electrolyzing the primarycathodic electrolytic water with the vitamin C added, the dissolvedoxygen concentration and the oxidation reduction potential can besignificantly lowered as compared to the primary cathodic electrolyticwater, and the water exhibits a high benefit as drinking water.

Further, since the secondary anodic electrolytic water produced byelectrolyzing the primary anodic electrolytic water with the vitamin Cadded has so high a dissolved oxygen concentration that it can be usedin applications requiring bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity toanaerobic bacteria only without harm to aerobic bacteria. In addition,the secondary anodic electrolytic water has a low oxidation reductionpotential and is not corrosive and, therefore, it can be used forcleaning metals which easily rust.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating watercomprising:electrolyzing the water to form positively charged water andnegatively charged water; separating said positively charged water fromsaid negatively charged water; adding vitamin C to the separatedpositively charged water in the amount of 0.005-0.5 wt. % of the water;and electrolyzing the positively charged water containing added vitaminC.
 2. A method for treating water according to claim 1 wherein saidamount of vitamin C added is 0.01-0.02 wt. % of the water.
 3. A methodfor treating water comprising:electrolyzing the water to form positivelycharged water and negatively charged water; separating said negativelycharged water from said positively charged water; adding to theseparated negatively charged water more than 0.005 wt. % of vitamin C,based on the weight of the negatively charged water; and electrolyzingthe negatively charged water containing the added vitamin C.